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Lots of scams

South-Eastern Asia

Tourist scams in Cambodia

Scams are plentiful in Cambodia. Common problems include tourist price markups, unclear taxi fares, border bribe demands and tours that do not match their promises. Petty theft also happens, including phone and bag snatching in Phnom Penh, although violent crime is described as fairly low overall.
  1. 1 ShoppingCommonTourist price markupsVisitors may be quoted higher prices. Bottled water sold for 1,000 riel or less may be marked up to US$0.50–1. Central Market in Phnom Penh is described as touristy and pricey. Higher prices alone do not prove fraud.Tourist businesses, markets and bottled-water stalls 1Read
  2. 2 TaxisCommonUnclear taxi and tuk-tuk faresA fare can become a dispute if you have not agreed whether it covers one way or return, everyone or each passenger. Travellers arranging a Phnom Penh–Kampot taxi directly at Phnom Penh airport are also likely to receive a higher quote.Tourist areas; Phnom Penh riverfront, major hotels and airport taxi pickup areas 1Read
  3. 3 Airport and borderCommonBorder bribes and extra processing feesBorder officials may seek bribes. On journeys from Banlung to Four Thousand Islands, officials on both sides may demand passport-stamping processing fees. An inflated arrival fee may also be demanded on the Lao side.Border crossings, including the Cambodia–Laos crossing on journeys from Banlung to Four Thousand Islands 2Read
  4. 4 Tours and guidesCommonTours that do not match the promisesA tour may not deliver everything advertised or described when you book.Tour sellers across Cambodia 2Read
  5. 5 Tours and guidesCommonDriver recommendations that earn commissionA business recommended by a tuk-tuk driver is likely paying the driver a commission. The recommendation may serve the driver's income rather than your preferences.Restaurants, hotels and activities recommended by tuk-tuk drivers 2Read
  6. 6 TheftCommonPhone and bag snatchingThieves grab exposed phones or bags, including during the day. Women are often targeted. Belongings near the outside of a tuk-tuk are especially exposed.Phnom Penh 1Read
  7. 7 On the streetCommonPersistent ride and souvenir sellingDrivers may repeatedly press pedestrians to take a ride. Drivers outside the Foreign Correspondents' Club are described as particularly pushy and aggressive. Children may also press visitors to buy bracelets and other goods. Persistent selling does not always involve fraud.Tourist areas across Cambodia; especially Phnom Penh city centre and outside the Foreign Correspondents' Club 1Read
  8. 8 ShoppingCommonImitation Kampot pepperMany imitators sell pepper claimed to be Kampot pepper. The product may not come from the place claimed.Kampot 3Read
  9. 9 Food and drinkOccasionalIncorrect restaurant billsA restaurant bill may be added up incorrectly, leaving you paying more than the listed items total.Restaurants across Cambodia 1Read
  10. 10 Changing moneyOccasionalDamaged notes passed to touristsMerchants may use tourists' lack of experience to pass on imperfect foreign notes that other businesses or banks may refuse.Cash transactions across Cambodia 1Read
  11. 11 Changing moneyOccasionalPoor exchange rates when spending Thai bahtBusinesses may accept Thai baht using an unfavourable rule-of-thumb rate. You can lose money by spending baht directly instead of exchanging it first.Battambang, Koh Kong, Poipet 2Read
  12. 12 TaxisOccasionalAirport taxi driver tears your dollar noteThe driver takes your dollar note out of sight, slightly tears it, then rejects it. You may be left with only larger notes, for which the driver says there is not enough change.Phnom Penh 1Read
  13. 13 TheftOccasionalTheft from stored bus luggageSome bus passengers have had valuables stolen from luggage stored where they could not watch it.Phnom Penh 1Read
  14. 14 On the streetOccasionalFriendly invitation leads to a rigged card gameA group befriends you and claims a relative will soon move to your home country. They invite you to dinner at a house, then try to draw you into a rigged card game for money.Phnom Penh 3Read
  15. 15 On the streetOccasionalNew friends ask for money for sick relativesPeople who have befriended you may tell stories about sick relatives and ask for money. This can be a fallback when the rigged card-game approach fails.Phnom Penh 1Read
  16. 16 On the streetOccasionalFake monks asking tourists for moneyPeople posing as monks approach tourists for money. Real monks do not walk around begging from tourists.Phnom Penh 2Read
  17. 17 On the streetOccasionalFake children's charity and teaching appealsAdults show a charity ID and collect money supposedly for children. Some invite you to teach children English, then try to get money from you.Battambang 3Read
  18. 18 ShoppingOccasionalReproductions offered as antiquesMost items sold as Cambodian antiques are reproductions. Paying extra because a seller claims an item is old can leave you with an ordinary copy.Antique and souvenir sellers 1Read
  19. 19 ShoppingOccasionalFake branded goodsFake Swiss watches and pirated software are sold at low prices. The risk is paying for them while believing they are genuine.Phnom Penh 2Read
  20. 20 On the streetOccasionalPayment requested after a photographSome people ask for payment when photographed. A surprise request can happen if you take a picture without first asking permission and checking expectations.Urban areas 2Read
  21. 21 Changing moneyOccasionalHigh guesthouse cheque-cashing commissionsGuesthouses may charge high commissions to cash travellers' cheques. This can leave you receiving less cash than expected.BanlungRead
  22. 22 TheftOccasionalMugging and robbery around BanlungMuggings have occurred around Banlung, and gangs have targeted isolated farms. A tourist who became lost looking for Cha Ong Waterfall was shot during an attempted robbery in February 2009.BanlungRead

Where to stay alert

  • Riverfront, Phnom PenhScammers may approach tourists here with friendship stories and private dinner invitations.
  • Hun Sen Park, Phnom PenhNamed as a place where con artists may approach visitors.
  • Sorya Mall, Phnom PenhLinked to approaches that can lead to rigged card games or requests for money for sick relatives.
  • Outside the Foreign Correspondents' Club, Phnom PenhTuk-tuk drivers here are described as especially pushy and aggressive.
  • Airport taxi pickup areas, Phnom PenhLinked to the dollar-note tearing trick and higher quotes for taxis to Kampot.
  • Central Market, Phnom PenhDescribed as touristy and pricey. Check prices before buying.
  • Russian Market, Phnom PenhFake Swiss watches and pirated software are sold here.
  • Riverside, BattambangAdults with charity IDs may collect money supposedly for children or offer teaching opportunities that lead to money requests.
  • Cha Ong Waterfall area, BanlungA tourist who became lost looking for the waterfall was attacked during an attempted robbery in February 2009.
  • Thai-border areas around Battambang, Koh Kong and PoipetSpending Thai baht directly can mean accepting an unfavourable exchange rate.
  • Cambodia–Laos border crossing on the Banlung–Four Thousand Islands routeOfficials on both sides may ask for passport-stamping processing fees.

Habits that keep you safe

Taxis

  • Agree the destination and full fare before getting in. Confirm whether it is per person and whether a return is included.
  • Use Grab or PassApp where available to see the app price.
  • Follow the route on your phone. Drivers can genuinely misunderstand directions.
  • Carry small notes and keep cash payments in view.

Money

  • Inspect change immediately and return damaged notes politely.
  • Ask which currency a price uses before paying.
  • Change Thai baht at a bank or money changer rather than spending it at a poor shop rate.
  • Check restaurant totals and confirm all fees before a transaction.

Cards and ATMs

  • Use ATMs at bank branches during opening hours when possible.
  • Check withdrawn notes before leaving. Ask the bank immediately to replace poor-quality notes.
  • Ask for smaller notes when you need change for everyday purchases.
  • Cover your PIN and keep your card issuer's contact details somewhere accessible.

Your belongings

  • Keep phones and bags toward the middle of a tuk-tuk.
  • On motorbike taxis, keep belongings between you and the driver or in front of the driver.
  • Keep valuables with you rather than in stored bus luggage.
  • Do not resist a robbery or chase a thief.

Where you stay

  • Check a hotel independently before accepting a driver's recommendation.
  • Confirm the room price and included services before paying.
  • Ask your accommodation to help arrange longer taxi trips.
  • Check the full commission before using a guesthouse to cash travellers' cheques.

Tours and guides

  • Get the itinerary, included services and extra charges in writing.
  • Check a driver's recommended activity independently.
  • Keep adverts, receipts and booking messages.
  • Plan unfamiliar rural routes and consider hiring a guide.

Police and officials

  • Ask what an extra border charge covers and request a receipt.
  • Stay calm if you dispute a charge.
  • Record names, locations and payment details only when safe.
  • Do not assume paying an unofficial fee will resolve a problem.

What travellers say about Cambodia

Discussions on other sites, summarised in our words. Open a link to read the full thread.

Questions

Are tourist scams common in Cambodia?

Yes. Expect tourist price markups, unclear transport fares and occasional dishonest approaches. Petty theft also happens. Violent crime is described as fairly low overall.

How do I avoid a tuk-tuk fare dispute?

Agree the full fare before getting in. Confirm whether it is per person or for everyone, and whether a return trip is included. Grab or PassApp can show an app price where available.

What is the airport taxi dollar-note trick?

A driver takes your note out of sight, tears it slightly and rejects it. Carry small notes, show that they are undamaged and get the driver to accept their condition before handing them over.

How can I protect my phone and bag?

Keep them toward the middle of a tuk-tuk. On a motorbike taxi, keep belongings between you and the driver or in front of the driver. Keep valuables with you on buses.

Should I accept a dinner invitation from a new friend?

Be cautious about private invitations from strangers. In Phnom Penh, a story about a relative moving to your country can lead to a rigged card game or a request for money for sick relatives.

Should I give money to monks or street charity collectors?

Do not give money under pressure. Fake monks approach tourists in Phnom Penh. In Battambang, some collectors use charity IDs or teaching invitations to get money. Check an organisation independently before donating.

What should I check when receiving cash?

Look for tears and other damage before accepting notes. Return poor-quality change immediately. If a bank-attached ATM gives you damaged notes, ask that bank to replace them before leaving.

Can I trust a driver's hotel or tour recommendation?

Check it independently. Recommended businesses are likely paying the driver a commission. For tours, get the itinerary, included services and extra charges in writing.

How do I avoid buying fake souvenirs?

Treat antique claims cautiously because most items sold as antiques are reproductions. For Kampot pepper, use a reputable supplier and look for an authenticity logo. Fake Swiss watches are sold at Phnom Penh's Russian Market.

What should I do if someone tries to rob me?

Do not resist or chase them. Get to safety, seek medical help if needed, secure your cards and phone, and report the incident to police and your insurer.

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